Lake Stewards understand their water use, catchment, and local water quality. They practice lake-friendly living through advanced gardening and land management, often taking on larger projects that require extra expertise and resources.

Lake Stewards take meaningful individual actions and collaborate on efforts that benefit both people and nature.

Access your Lake Friendly Living materials below by clicking the images

We encourage you to download our Lake Friendly Living Guide. The guide provides you with simple steps and additional advanced projects to practice lake friendly living.

You may want to download and print the pledge card too. You can post the pledge card in your home so that other household members can review and participate. Thank you for your pledge!

Resources

Click a topic to learn more!

Capture and Infiltrate

Capture & infiltrate pollutant-carrying runoff before it reaches the lake

Plant Native Plants

Finger Lakes Native Plant Society

Plant a Rain Garden

NYSDEC

Install a Rain Barrel

YouTube Tutorial

Advanced Practices

Shoreline & Property Management Resources

Increase Permeable Surfaces
Learn how permeable paving and other surfaces can help reduce runoff and allow water to soak naturally into the ground.

Landscaping Network – Permeable Paving

Minimize Erosion with New Construction
Follow recommended erosion and sediment-control practices when completing construction or other projects that disturb soil.

NYSDEC Erosion & Sediment Control Standards

Planning Shoreline or Dock Work?
If you’re planning a dock, break wall, shoreline repair, or erosion-control project along Seneca Lake, NYSDEC offers guidance on shoreline stabilization techniques and permitting requirements. Before beginning work, homeowners and contractors should check with NYSDEC to determine which approaches and permit requirements apply to their specific project.